11 BFA References to Times Union

A Heady Confluence of Ballet and Experimental Dance.

By: Charles Giuliano - Jul 11th, 2015

Nederlands Dans Theater was founded in 1959 and with some 600 works in its portfolio has been one of the most influential global companies. In 1978 a younger second company was formed and this is its first week in Becket since 2007.

Ted Shawn Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow, July 9-13.

By: Pillow - Jun 18th, 2014

Dance Theatre of Harlem, led by Artistic Director Virginia Johnson, performs Donald Byrd’s smooth yet power-packed contemporary ballet Contested Space, which features a plethora of solos and duets. past-carry-forward, created for DTH by Tanya Wideman-Davis and Thaddeus Davis, conveys the spirit and significance of the Harlem Renaissance.

Risk Taking Based on a 35 Year Legacy

By: Charles Giuliano - Sep 02nd, 2013

There has been considerable risk taking in the 2013 season programmed by Shakespeare & Company artistic director Tony Simotes. It has combined rarely produced Shakespeare plays as well as tough works by Stoppard and Brecht. The season ends on September 15 with arguably the most controversial play of the Berkshire season Martin McDonagh's brutal dark comedy The Beauty Queen of Leenane. This is part two of a discussion with its cast members Tina Packer, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, David Sedgwick and Edmund Donovan.

Brutal Play by Martin McDonagh Powerfully Presented

By: Charles Giuliano - Aug 23rd, 2013

The Irish playwright Martin McDonagh is a brutal bastard to actors and the suffering audience. The Beauty Queen of Leenane at Shakespeare & Company is an evening of pure misery. But if you love great theatre don't miss four truly magnificent performances. It is also the first time that a national treasure, Tina Packer, has shared a stage with the phenomenal Elizabeth Aspenlieder.

Looking at the Arts Behind and Ahead

By: Charles Giuliano - Jan 02nd, 2012

It is that time of year when we look back at the highlights and insights of the past season. Take a deep breath and anticipate what lays ahead for 2012. There is much to remember as well as look forward to.

Ten Cents a Dance Closes August 28

By: Charles Giuliano - Aug 22nd, 2011

There is no question that the first season of artistic director Jenny Gersten has done well at the box office. In a release WTF announces that its sales for August are double what they were in August last year. Overall they are stating attendance at some 44,000. According to the wildly uneven reviews, however, Williamstown Theatre Company has slipped from its once dominant position among the four major Berkshire theatre companies.

Controversy for Williamstown Theatre Festival

By: Charles Giuliano - Aug 17th, 2011

The production of Ten Cents a Dance based on a reworking of Rodgers and Hart by John Doyle is provoking a firestorm of controversy. The musical in which five women sing and play instruments with a male piano player is inspiring praise and scorn from audiences and critics. Everyone emerges from Williamstown Theatre Festival with an opinion. Here are links to positive and negative reviews. Don't miss the chance to wade in on this. See it while you can.

When the Walls Came Tumbling Down

By: Joe Finnegan and Charles Giuliano - May 31st, 2011

This week the Williamstown Theatre Festival will start to build the first of seven sets. There is the opening of Streetcar Named Desire on the Nikos Stage opening on June 22. That's just three weeks from now. With tech rehearsals on June 21 and 22 which means the set has to be installed on the 18th and 19th. That's the norm for WTF. But right now a crew of 15 is frantically building the set shops to build the sets. On February 11 the roof collapsed at the Delftree Mill which housed the former props and set workshops.

New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra, Lake George Opera, Bruce Springsteen

By: Larry Murray - Jul 11th, 2009

For Berkshire residents the Saratoga Performing Arts Center is not that far away, and offers a completely different menu of performances to choose from. Their season had just begun when we visited. The New York City Ballet is in residence through July 18.

Tanglewood Past, Present and Future

By: Larry Murray - Sep 06th, 2007

The volunteers, the deficits, the sniping from the sidelines: You have to expect it when you are biggest target. The BSO's Berkshire summer of 2007 lends itself to parody, speculation and reminiscences.